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An artist who planned to unveil a portrait of Barack Obama in a Christ-like pose with a crown of thorns upon his brow has announced he is canceling the event, due to "overwhelming public outrage."

As WND reported, painter Michael D'Antuono had planned to unveil a portrait titled "The Truth," a 30" x 54" acrylic painting on canvas depicting Obama appearing much like Jesus Christ on the Cross, at New York City's Union Square Park tomorrow, marking the president's 100th day in office.

A statement released D'Antuono now claims the artist chose to cancel the event after being flooded with thousands of emails, phone calls, online blogs and other forms of public criticism, all within 48 hours of releasing the controversial image online.

According to the statement, D'Antuono insists that the work was intended purely as a political piece.

"The religious reference was used metaphorically and not to insult anyone's religious beliefs," says D'Antuono. "If that is the effect that my art has had on anyone, I am truly sorry."

Like others in the news who have depicted Obama in Christ-like imagery, D'Antuono originally insisted he wasn't claiming the man is Messiah, but only inviting "individual interpretations."

"'The Truth,' like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder," claims the press release that announced D'Antuono's original plans to unveil the painting.

D'Antuono even invited the public to email him with reactions to the piece, answering his posed question, "What's your truth?"

Many, apparently, responded to his invitation, leading to cancellation of the display.